David KeefeCombat Paper Coordinator, The Printmaking Center of NJ
David Keefe – MFA-STUDIO ART, SGT USMC (FMR) –is the Director of Combat Paper NJ, a special program at the Printmaking Center of New Jersey that gives participating vets the opportunity to reintegrate into society by making paper from their military uniforms and communicating their stories on the paper through art. From 2001-2009, Sgt Keefe served in the United States Marine Corps, and from 2006-2007 completed a tour of combat duty in Iraq as a scout in the infantry. Mr. Keefe holds a Master of Fine Arts degree from Montclair State University and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the University of Delaware. In addition to directing Combat Paper NJ, he is the Interim Director of Education at the Printmaking Center of New Jersey. Mr. Keefe also teaches Painting and Graduate Independent Study at Montclair State University, works as a freelance curator and exhibition coordinator, and makes art in his Montclair, NJ studio.

Diana MooreCurator, Marie L. Matthews Gallery at D&R Greenway Land TrustDiana Moore holds an undergraduate degree in medieval art from Princeton University and a masters in contemporary art with a focus on the intersection of science and art from Sotheby’s Institute of Art. She is the Director of Investor Relations and Business Development at Advaxis, a cancer immunotherapy company, and the curator of the art galleries at D&R Greenway Land Trust. She is the recipient of a Mercer Change Maker award for outstanding non-profit volunteer work in New Jersey, co-coordinator of volunteers at Art All Night Trenton, and the fundraising chair of the board of directors at Artworks Trenton.

Lindsey and Priscilla Smith at Grounds for Sculpture for a Jersey Arts Member Party

My husband and I are newlyweds, but we are constantly on the go; we are like two ships passing in the night. We both have such busy schedules that even though we are told we should still be making time to go on “dates,” it’s hard sometimes. We found a solution! We recently decided to get a Jersey Arts Membership. The events, discounts and opportunities give us that excuse to check out shows and events we might not make a point to see otherwise, and it’s so reasonable that we can’t pass it up.

Our date nights used to consist of just that, a “date night”–a few hours we’d get to spend together seeing a movie and getting a bite to eat because we didn’t have time to plan. However, this past weekend was a refreshing change for us–no pressure and no planning. We were able to have a date day at Grounds for Sculpture thanks to our Jersey Arts Membership. We had a lovely brunch in the Bamboo Garden and a tour around the sculpture grounds; our day culminated with a lecture from an artist (Ming Fay) currently on exhibit there. Without our membership, we wouldn’t have been able to have such a wonderful experience. With our membership, we have the opportunity to have someone else plan our dates and we get to experience a wide variety of the arts and culture that we find so very important.

When was the last time you had time to plan a date day like this? I don’t know about you, but “never” is my response… these types of moments with your spouse should not be reserved for holidays and special occasions only. We had a lovely day and look forward to many more. We also are supporting the arts in New Jersey, a cause near and dear to our hearts.

October was officially proclaimed Discover Jersey Arts Month by Governor Christie and we’re celebrating! How can you join in on the fun? Become a Jersey Arts Member! Read what other Jersey Arts Members have to say about what membership means to them:

Being a Jersey Arts Member means making new friends and building your
network! While my day job is not in the arts, I try to stay as actively engaged
as possible in the local, state, national, and global arts scene, and I love
supporting the arts in my home state! Through Jersey Arts Membership this is
further possible. I recently kicked off two arts event series at Artworks in
Trenton, and through the Jersey Arts Member Party at Grounds for Sculpture I made new friends who support the arts in Madison and Newark, NJ. I am hoping these new friends will support the new art series in Trenton, and I plan to go and
support their awesome work in Madison and Newark. In fact, I am working now on gathering a group together to go check out the Newark Open House event of their local art galleries! Care to join me?

Full time artist, Lauren Curtis, loves working in oils, photography & illustration as well as having her own t-shirts & greeting card lines. She graduated from Mason Gross School of the Arts (Rutgers), currently exhibits and sells work across the US & abroad, and she’s been featured on radio & TV shows including Science Channel’s ODDITIES (season 3). You can see her work in NJ galleries & online at http://www.facebook.com/LaurenCurtisArtTalonArt & http://www.LaurenCurtisArt.com

Sandra Davis

“Triton Among Lilies” by Sandra Davis

Sandra’s haunting imagery is about capturing remembered moments from the past. Working in several bodies of work, she explores history by photographing what remains from previous eras. Through the unique way she captures these places and by printing the images in various alternative processes, she makes them her own vision while creating an illusory veil of dreaminess. http://www.sandracdavis.com/

Lou Storey

“Recovery” by Lou Storey

Lou Storey’s artwork has always chronicled his life and gives visual manifestation to what is meaningful to him. Lou’s current paintings incorporate a multitude of ideas, concepts and psychological theories related to the mental health profession. His days in the studio are devoted to visually defining these various philosophies and therapies while working out difficult or elusive feelings and thoughts that are part of his workday. Bright colors, intricate patterns and directional motion continue to be his pictorial vocabulary as Lou now paints what he sees or needs to understand in his rewarding life as a clinical therapist. http://www.loustoreyart.com/

Christina Turczyn

“Mystery” by Christina Turczyn

Christina Lilian Turczyn received her Ph.D. in English/Creative Writing. Since 2008, she has been exhibiting watercolors in New York and New Jersey galleries. In 2012, she was part of “Cornell Has Talent,” a showcase of four artists’ work at the Cornell Club of New York. A watercolor was included in the Ridgewood Art Institute’s 32nd Annual Regional Juried Show. She has exhibited individual works at the Arts Society of Kingston.

Yvonne Yaar

“Three Parrots” by Yvonne Yaar

Yvonne Yaar creates glass jewelry, wall art, indoor and outdoor sculpture, and works with mixed media. Most of her work is made in front of a torch, with a kiln, or with various tools used to manipulate molten glass. Yvonne sells her art nationally and in multiple museums, art galleries and boutiques in New Jersey. She frequently teaches at the LBI Foundation of the Arts & Sciences in Long Beach Island, NJ. Yvonne recently received a large commission with AtlantiCare Hospital in Atlantic City, NJ. The Healing Tree, is a large multi-panel wall sculpture, which can be accessed by a walk way from Ceasar’s Palace. In 2009, Monmouth Museum named Yvonne Yaar a “NJ Emerging Artist,” an honor they give to only a few artists every year.http://yvonneyaar.blogspot.com/

ArtPride is only as strong as our supporters, so we look forward to connecting face-to-face with our fantastic online friends. Join us for an evening of delicious food, great prizes, and, of course, ART!